Touch ID

First look: iPhone 5s

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

I was so angry when I woke up this morning, because I woke up late, and I just knew that meant I wasn't going to get an iPhone 5s. Much to my surprise, my local Verizon store had plenty in stock, albeit, none were gold.

I was able to walk in, say I wanted an unlocked iPhone 5s, and walked out in less than 15 minutes. It was an overall uneventful experience, despite my tardiness.

I decided to go ahead and go with the 32GB Space Gray iPhone 5s. While initially I kind of dismissed this color option, it's not half bad when you see it in person. In fact, I think it's safe to say that this is the best looking iPhone ever, outside of maybe the Gold model if that's your thing.

iTunes TOS amended with Touch ID, Popular Near Me clarification

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 18, 2013

In another sign of the imminent iOS 7 release, Apple has just released iTunes 11.1 for Mac and Windows with support for iOS 7 devices and installations, also bringing out new features like iTunes Radio, Podcast Stations and Genius Shuffle.

As part of the release - and consistent with Apple's history - the company has updated the iTunes Terms & Conditions. The document has been amended with additional information regarding authenticating your account for purchases and automatic delivery of app updates, in addition to the previously unknown tidbits about the App Store's Popular Near Me feature...

Your chopped off finger wouldn’t unlock your iPhone 5s anyway

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

One of the first things that came to my mind when Apple officially unveiled Touch ID during last week's iPhone event was that on top of getting your iPhone 5s stolen, you're now at risk of getting your finger chopped off so the thief can unlock the device.

Worry not, because apparently, chopping your finger off wouldn't allow anyone to actually get into your iPhone. Here is why...

Apple Stores to demo Touch ID using a dedicated app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

When the iPhone 5s launches this Friday, Apple's retail employees will be showing off the new Touch ID fingerprint reading functionality to prospective customers using a dedicated app designed especially for this purpose, a new report Monday claimed. The feature, stemming from last year's acquisition of Israeli biometric experts AuthenTenc, uses the fingerprint sensor embedded into the iconic Home button to unlock the handset with a touch of your finger and approved purchases on Apple's content stores...

Apple details Touch ID: no on-device fingerprints, 48-hour wipe, doesn’t like moisture

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

Apple left a few important questions unanswered regarding its all-new fingerprint sensor implemented on the iPhone 5s, called Touch ID. The useful feature stems from Apple's 2012 purchase of Israeli-based biometric security experts AuthenTec. In a nutshell, Apple strives to easily and securely authenticate users into their device and approve purchases from the iTunes Store, App Store or iBookstore - simply by scanning their finger on the Home button.

What happens next is anyone's guess. Neither Apple's website nor available promotional material reveals much in way of detail. Perhaps sensing a privacy scare in the making, Apple dispatched its spokesperson to dispel any notion that the new iPhone might expose users to security risks...

Apple posts Touch ID video walkthrough

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Just like clockwork, Apple has now updated its website with new material related to today's announcements. The flagship iPhone 5s has received a substantial upgrade and with much of the attention surrounding its fingerprint scanning feature, the company has made a little video explaining how they integrated the sensitive fingerprint reader into the Home button while giving us an overview of how Touch ID works. I've included it for your viewing pleaser right after the break, have a look right now...

Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint scanning revealed

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

A last-minute leak from our friends over at Nowhereelse.fr suggested that Apple would refer to the rumored iPhone 5s fingerprint sensor as Touch ID. The rumors were true: Apple first revealed the top-end iPhone 5s which has a much-improved camera and runs two times faster A7 chip that's 64-bit (the first for a phone) and a new motion chip called M7.

The executives saved the best part for the end of the presentation: the built-in fingerprint scanning feature which draws from Apple's 2012 acquisition of the Israeli biometric sensor experts AuthenTec. Jump past the fold for the full reveal..